Labour rates for repairs vary by up to 220%

on 20 August 2015.

Average hourly labour rates for car repairs vary by as much as 220% across Britain, according to data from used car warranty provider Warrantywise.

Consumer magazine Auto Express has revealed average rates reach a peak of £141 per hour in Twickenham, south-west London, compared to the cheapest average rate of £44 per hour in Kirkwall, Orkney. That results in a massive difference of £97 per hour. Overall, the average cost of labour in Britain is £84.30 per hour.

The highest recorded hourly rate of an individual garage was £240 per hour in West Byfleet, Surrey, with the lowest cost found to be £36 per hour at a garage in Smethwick, Birmingham - a staggering 566% difference.

Regionally, London recorded the highest average labour rate (£101.60) and was the only area to break the £100 mark. Scotland was by far the cheapest with an average labour rate of just £71.42 - 42% lower than the capital.

Lawrence Whittaker, CEO of Warrantywise, said: “Some of the differences Warrantywise has discovered are, frankly, offensive. Our advice is simple: shop around, negotiate and remember that as a paying customer, you are holding the ace cards.”

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